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Route: from the car park (altitude 1,165 m), take the char trail (pastoral track) that climbs up to the left (signposted Col de Bornette); the climb is quite steep along a narrow path, then the slope levels out and you continue through the forest before quickly reaching a large mountain pasture, then the Col de Bornette (1) (1,304 m); turn left towards "Chalet de la Combe". You will pass "Les Ailes du Nant" (chalets), continuing to follow "Chalet de la Combe". You will soon leave the mountain pasture and the track to follow a path that continues through the forest, running along the entire western flank of the Montagne du Charbon. This route is quite long, with a series of small ascents and descents. In bad weather, the ground is muddy and quite slippery. The beauty of the forest is such that this "crossing" becomes an enchanting experience in a very "elvish" environment. The diversity of tree species is remarkable, including beech, spruce, pine and maple, to name but the most numerous, some of which have branches bleached white by lichen.
At this time of year, most of the trees have lost their magnificent foliage, but in compensation, their brown-red leaves carpet the ground beautifully. The atmosphere is hushed in this well-preserved forest. A few beautiful moss-covered rocks and ferns complete the picture. In the second part of this section, there are many uprooted trees, decaying trunks and dead branches in disarray; the forest must have suffered from a few storms (including the one in 1999).
When you reach "Sous la Roche" at an altitude of 1,380 metres, continue to the right (Pointe de Banc Plat, Chalet de la Combe). The path becomes stony and climbs up to a beautiful cliff. After a few hairpin bends, continue along the side of the cliff on a path carved into the rock. Admire the men (shepherds?) who carried out this remarkable work. In autumn, it is often shortly after passing through the cliff that you begin to emerge from the fog; there is a beautiful view of the Roc des Boeufs and, in the distance, the Dents de Lanfon, in the extension of the cliff. You will find yourself on an almost flat path, sandy in places, and after a short stretch through a clearing (communal forest of La Thuile), you will come out onto the alpine plateau of the Combe du Charbon and quickly reach the Chalet de la Combe (alt. 1,572 m); there is also a lodge. There is a superb view of the Montagne du Charbon and the Combe, and if you climb a little behind the Chalet de la Combe, the view is superb: the Tournette, the Mont Blanc range, part of the Bauges, etc.
Continue towards Pointe de Banc Plat, following the pastoral track that runs along the side of the Crêt du Roi before approaching the almost vertical rock faces. After a short climb, you will reach Les Platières, at 1,700m. Keep following "Pointe de Banc Plat". The path continues through subalpine grassland, passing to the left of a mound (beautiful view of Lanche Close, 1,791 metres, on the left); after a few superbly eroded rocks, turn right to reach the top of a small ravine (end of the Combe). The view of the vertical walls of the Pointe de Banc Plat (notably a sloping slab that is almost flat and of interest to rock climbers) is breathtaking, with a beautiful view of Lake Annecy. A few steps later, you reach the summit at 1,907m. The panoramic view is exceptional: the Jura, the Roc des Boeufs, the Dent de Rossanaz, the Mont Colombier, the Mont Margeriaz, the Dent des Portes, the Mont Trélod, the Pointe d'Arcalod, the Pointe de la Sambuy, the Pointe de Chaurionde, the Mont-Blanc, the Tournette, Lake Annecy and a multitude of other peaks, especially on the Bauges massif side. It is possible to follow the summit ridge on the north side, but caution is advised as it is exposed. You can also continue on to the Dent des Portes and Mont Trélod on the south side, which is more challenging.
The return journey follows the same route. There is a shortcut on the Col de Bornette side, but I didn't try it as the ground was slippery. On the way back, the fog had lifted in the valley, and I was finally able to enjoy the view of the western slope of the Montagne du Charbon and the Dent des Portes.
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
